Not Standing Pat

June 14, 1998

Talk of a new stadium for the Patriots isn't exactly a new topic. For that matter, neither is the discussion of the team relocating in Hartford. A look back at what people have been saying the past fice years:

``Our priority is to support the Patriots and the Boston business community in building the megaplex. If for some reason that does not work out, then we'd look into other options. . . . The state of Connecticut has its act together. The governor and the state legislature are saying, `We will build a stadium.' ''

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue

July 6, 1993

``Our goal was to get a football team. You've got to finish and we didn't finish. That's my only regret . . . We had it in our hands.''

Philadelphia businessman Fran Murray

Jan. 21, 1994, after his failed attempt to buy the Patriots and move them to Hartford

``We did have some meetings with the Krafts, but I'm not at liberty to discuss the various business topics.''

Mashantucket Pequot tribe spokesman Joseph Letellier

Jan. 16, 1997, after a meeting that initiated a feasibility study for a possible stadium on land off I-95

``I have put our family's assets on the line to do something good for the citizenry of the state. And we run into a million different guerrilla warfares. This town can make the Middle East look easy.''

Kraft, The Boston Globe, Feb. 2, 1997

``I have been criticized for mishandling the whole affair, for not including community residents . . . I accept that criticism.''

Kraft, Feb. 21, 1997, after withdrawing proposal for a South Boston stadium

``I assume they'll look out of state as well. A lot of towns would give their eye teeth to have the Patriots play within their boundaries.''

Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld

"All I can say is that we are going to consider every serious proposalin New England and we are going to move as quickly as we can."

ROBERT KRAFT, ABOVE

Patriots owner Feb. 21, 1997

``What we're trying to do is get state-of-the-art facilities for all our teams in their existing markets. We do not want to see any further relocation of teams. League stability is an important priority.''

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, Aug. 14, 1997

``I don't want to be the answer to the question, `Who lost the Patriots?' '' -- Massachusetts Senate President Thomas Birmingham, The Boston Globe, Sept. 18, 1997

We feel connected to Providence. It's our neighbor. It's not like the Patriots are moving to Connecticut. They'll still be considered a Boston team.'' -- -- Larry Moulter, chariman of the New Boston Garden Corp., The Boston Globe, Sept. 22, 1997

``If you want to talk about being competitive with other NFL teams, he is still in the same position today as he was a year ago. He still doesn't have premium seats, he still doesn't have an updated facility.'' -- Michael Coppola, chairman of the Foxboro Board of Selectmen, Jan. 1998

``Now is the time to understand the [Foxboro] project is completely unique and get on with it.''

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue

The Boston Globe, March 18, 1998

``There's no reason to speculate on any possibility of a team coming to Connecticut.''